Recommended Audition Repertoire

The following information refers to auditions by new and transfer undergraduate students. Prospective graduate students should contact the instructor of their instrument or voice regarding audition requirements at the graduate level. Students wishing to be considered for scholarships should demonstrate the ability to perform advanced works in their major area of study.

Students who are unable to present a live audition, email your digital files, YouTube videos and dropbox links to music@uidaho.edu. Alternatively you may send in a recorded audition on CD or DVD, marked clearly with your name and instrument or voice type. Recordings may be sent to:

The student should prepare two pieces in contrasting styles from the standard repertoire. These may include such works as studies by Carcassi from his Twenty-Five Etudes, Op. 60; selections from Leo Brouwer's Etudes Simples, vols. 1 or 2; or Fernando Sor's Twenty Studies edited by Segovia. The student may also perform pieces such as the Divertimenti by Robert Benedict, Suite #2 by James McGuire, or any comparable works.

Prospective students should be familiar with basic right and left hand techniques and should be able to read well in the first position. Students wishing to be considered for scholarships should demonstrate ability to perform advanced works such as Villa-lobos preludes, movements from Bach lute or cello suites, or other pieces of comparable difficulty.

Percussion majors are required to be well-rounded and capable of functioning at high levels on all instruments: concert percussion, solo percussion, timpani, mallet instruments, drum-set and also improvisation in many styles. Be prepared to demonstrate anything and everything you are currently working on in lessons, band, orchestra or just on your own.

Auditionees should sing two songs, preferably from the standard art song repertory (such as those on the state solo and ensemble list). An aria from an oratorio or opera may substitute for one of the songs. All audition pieces should be memorized. Auditionees should also be prepared to demonstrate their sight-reading abilities – i.e. read a solo or choral part. Each auditionee will also be asked to perform simple vocal exercises so that the faculty may hear your range and vocal ability. (Email us if you or your teacher have any questions about audition requirements or procedures.)

We will provide an accompanist for all auditions. Please supply our pianist with either the original music or a copy in the original format (double-sided), three-hole punched in a three-ring binder. No copies of the music are needed for the voice faculty. We prefer that no audition pieces are sung with CD accompaniment or a cappella.

Woodwinds: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon

An etude that is representative of the student's level of technique, range and expression.

One or more solo works (movements) of your choice. Consult your State Solo List for appropriate selections.